Chicago Cubs: Starlin Castro headed to Marlins in Giancarlo Stanton deal

Former Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is reportedly headed to Miami in a deal sending reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees.

Remember just 24 hours ago when you woke up? The Chicago Cubs still had a chance to sign Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton was busy crushing Cardinals fans dreams. Ah, what a Friday.

The weekend, however, kicked off in a big way with the Miami Marlins and New York Yankees coming to terms on a deal sending Stanton to the Bronx for former Cubs infielder Starlin Castro and a package of prospects. By the look of things, the biggest aspect of the deal will be New York assuming a commanding chunk of the $300 million owed to the reigning NL MVP.

Since every media outlet in the world is focusing on what this deal means for the Yankees, we’re going to go down a different road. What does this deal mean for Castro, who was once heralded as a cornerstone on the North Side?

The move makes sense for New York on multiple levels. Castro, like he was in Chicago, was on a time table. With prospects like Gleyber Torres on the brink of the big-league club, it was a matter of time before the four-time All-Star wound up on the block. And, as far as Miami goes, they get a very quality piece – with a great deal of cost control.

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Marlins getting value on both sides of the diamond

Castro, 27, comes off a 2017 campaign in which he put up a career-best .792 OPS and a 106 OPS+ in 112 games. The infielder added 16 long-balls and 63 runs batted in while manning second base for the Yankees. So, for Miami, you have a guy who can play both middle infield positions who swings the bat pretty well.

Of course, the Marlins sent Dee Gordon to the Seattle Mariners earlier this week, opening up second base. It stands to reason Castro will fill that vacancy. He has two years and roughly $22 million left on his deal with a team option for 2020. So, if you’re Derek Jeter and Marlins ownership, there’s a degree of cost control here, as well.

But – yes, there’s a ‘but’ here. This ownership group is employing an Uruk-hai-like approach to payroll, hacking and burning as they go. $11 million a year for a middle infielder, regardless of talent, could prove to be too rich for their taste. It wouldn’t shock me at all to see Castro traded again before the offseason comes to a close.

Starlin deserves better

For the second time in his still-young career, Castro is displaced by an up-and-coming young talent. At least when the Cubs sent him to the Yankees, there was hope in the Big Apple and prospects for the future were bright.

In Miami, there is no hope. This team is focused on one thing only: the financials. And, in the interim, both the players left when the dust settles and the fans will be trampled on. Any legitimate talent is going to be cut from this roster. If you’re making more than a few million dollars annually, pack your bags.

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It’s a shame. For baseball. For fans. And for Starlin. He’s always been a good guy and after several very respectable years in New York, he’ll have nothing to enjoy in 2018 if the Marlins keep him. That is, outside of the beaches and sunshine.